Temperature moderated claus process

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for treating a feed gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide by partially combusting the feed gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide with an oxygen-enriched gas in a Claus reaction furnace to produce to a combustion reaction product stream containing sulfur. The combustion reaction product stream is split into a recycle stream and a treatment stream and the recycle stream directed back into the Claus reaction furnace, without first condensing sulfur out of the recycle stream, while the treatment stream is directed into a condenser to condense sulfur out of the treatment stream.

1. A process for recovering sulfur from a feed gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide comprising:
 partially combusting a feed gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide with an oxygen-enriched gas in a Claus reaction furnace to produce combustion reaction product stream containing sulfur; 
 splitting the combustion reaction product stream into a recycle stream and a treatment stream; 
 directing the recycle stream into the Claus reaction furnace, without first condensing sulfur out of the recycle stream; and, 
 directing the treatment stream into a condenser to condense sulfur out of the treatment stream. 
 
     
     
       2. The process in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising passing the recycle stream through a pressure booster, before the stream enters the Clause reaction furnace. 
     
     
       3. The process in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the pressure booster is an eductor. 
     
     
       4. The process in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the pressure of the recycle stream as it leaves the pressure booster is from about 20 to about 30 psia. 
     
     
       5. The process in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the pressure of the recycle stream as it leaves the pressure booster is from about 23 to about 27 psia. 
     
     
       6. A method for treating a gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide comprising:
 introducing one or more feed gas streams rich in hydrogen sulfide into a Claus reaction furnace; 
 introducing air into the Claus reaction furnace; 
 introducing supplemental oxygen into the Claus reaction furnace to form a mixture; 
 partially combusting the mixture to produce to a combustion reaction product stream containing sulfur; 
 splitting the combustion reaction product stream into a recycle stream and a treatment stream; 
 directing the recycle stream to the Claus reaction furnace, without first condensing sulfur out of the recycle stream; and, 
 directing the treatment stream into a condenser to condense sulfur out of the treatment stream. 
 
     
     
       7. The process in accordance with  claim 6  further comprising passing the recycle stream through a pressure booster, before the stream enters the Claus reaction furnace. 
     
     
       8. The process in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the pressure booster is an eductor. 
     
     
       9. The process in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the pressure of the recycle stream as it leaves the pressure booster is from about 20 to about 30 psia. 
     
     
       10. The process in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the pressure of the recycle stream as it leaves the pressure booster is from 23 to about 27 psia.